Harken SnubbAir

[jssailem]

Anyone tried out this new idea from Harken?

I have been looking at the rigging for my Asymmetrical. Most of the time the sail is in such light air that a simple rachet block can serve to hold and adjust the sail. But as it starts to pick up having a small winch may make since.

Reading about this unit, it looks like it is designed for smaller boats.

I can see the possible application for a bigger boat yet light duty work.



Thoughts? Priced in the $250 range.

 

[smokey73]

What does it do, how do you mount it? Link?

 

[jssailem]

Sure Smokey.
It is mounted with 4 bolts in a square pattern.

Introducing the Harken SnubbAir

It began as a response to a J/70 deck layout challenge. Where it goes from here is anyone's guess. PEWAUKEE, Wis. - First designed to solve a deck layout challenge unique to the the winch it replaces. But the product has so many potential applications it defies classification as a winch. “The...

www.harken.com

According to Harken, "The SnubbAir can replace winches. But in other applications it could act more like a really large ratcheting foot or cheek block or even a ratcheting line diverter in the pit."

 

[Joe]

There are plenty of choices when it comes to snubbing winches... besides the harken version ( found here for $108)

Forespar, Antal, Barton (pictured respectively below) and others will offer them in cranking and non-cranking styles. Many of them are made of composite material.

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[jssailem]

So the only advantage might be that you pay the Harken price and the SnubbAir is shorter height.

 

[AaronD]

That looks like a pretty nice and compact piece of kit for the application you're talking about. I went with a different solution (although possibly to a different problem). My Code Zero sheets run through turning blocks at the stern back to the main winches (well, on my little boat, the only winches). That works fine for me (not sure about your Cal)

My complaint was that the jib sheet tails were loose and always in the way when using the C0 (since they couldn't be wrapped around the winches and cleated normally). I mounted a couple old cam cleats on the coaming, near bulkhead, next to the most secure Bimini frame mount. When the jib sheets are not in use, I wrap them a time or two around the bimini frame (for friction) and through those cleats. They're secure, and out of the way. We keep them that way at the dock as well, so the lines aren't running along the side deck to potentially catch while stepping on and off.

The real sheets are packed away for the winter, so here's a hackish picture with a dock line wrapped around the wrong bimini pole; hopefully it still conveys the idea.

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[jssailem]

Yes Aaron. That looks like a serviceable idea.
I need more time flying my Asymmetrical before I make any decisions.
Present rigging uses blocks at the stern to turn the sheets forward then I’m using the Jib/Genoa winches and a cleat.
I have considered cam cleats to retain the sheets. This makes the sheets easy to free and adjust.
Still a project in motion.